Family of five displaced after accidental kitchen fire in York

Crews respond to a fire in the 800 block of West Poplar Street in York this afternoon. (DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - CHRIS DUNN)

A family of five has been displaced after an accidental kitchen fire torched a row home in the 800 block of West Poplar Street Saturday afternoon.

Chief David Michaels of York City Fire/Rescue Services said that a 16-year-old girl was at home with three younger siblings when the blaze started. She was able to get her siblings out of the house, but suffered minor smoke inhalation while she tried to rescue the family's dog, who kept returning to the home.

The girl was treated on scene and the dog suffered minor burns to its paws, Michaels said.

Firefighters arriving on scene called for backup because the structure was part of a line of linked rowhomes that ran the entire block. Michaels said that in situations like that, he likes to have crews stationed on both ends of the block.

"Fire gets in those void places and travels quickly," he said. The flames were contained to the single home.

The American Red Cross is assisting the family, who had renter's insurance, he said. A damage estimate was not immediately available.